SUBMITTED PHOTO Second generation racer Rick Vondel, left, is with his daughter, third generation racer Kadilyn (Vondel) Ruby, and the race car for fourth generation racer Ellie Ruby

Dick Vondel might not have planned on having such an impact on the generations of his bloodline with the decision to start racing for fun, but at 80 years of age, he was able to see how that choice had played out for four generations of family before he passed away in February of 2023.

“I grew up around the sport and it was what I knew because of my dad and grandfather,” said third generation racer Kadilyn (Vondel) Ruby. “The earliest I could race, at 16 years of age, I did.”

First generation racer, Dick, started back in the early 1970’s but kept it recreational when he built an auto mechanic shop, spending much of his free time with a wrench in hand. The wrench turning, part time racing bug got into second generation racer, Rick Vondel, Kadilyn’s father, in the 1980s.

“Dad raced until 2007 or 2008 before kind of hanging up the race gloves,” said Ruby. “He took over the shop [auto mechanic shop] for my grandfather, but always was part of the family race scene too.”

Third generation racer, Kadilyn started racing in 2006 when her dad built a car for her to hit the dirt with. That same car is still in use today and has collected winners trophies for three different drivers.

Kadilyn even found her husband at the track. Jason Ruby was on the pit crew of a competitor before being ‘recruited away’ to join the Team Vondel pit crew. Jason jumped into the driver’s seat of Kadilyn’s 2006 ride when she got a newer ride in 2016. Both of the third generation racers competed at the same time for a bit before Kadilyn’s last rollover.

“I am not happy to say it, but I have rolled five times so far,” said Kadilyn. “The most recent was in 2019 and the frame is bent. The car is still up on the rack and we still have work to do on it.”

Now the family shares the 2006 car and both of the third generation drivers have nine top finishes each and second generation Rick has a few as well when he borrows the ride for fun.

The fourth generation of racer is getting her feet wet now. Ellie Ruby started racing in September of the 2023 race season and has her car fixed up for sling shot and her five year old brother is her crew chief. Ellie is ten years old.

“She has grown up around the sport,” said Kadilyn. “She knows the sport and understands what it takes to race. She spent the off season with her dad [Jason] and my dad [Rick] building the car we picked up from Canada. It was only partially done so those guys spent the time in the shop finishing the build for her to race it this year.”

Ellie can tell you what tires are needed for race day based on moisture content on the track dirt, expected temperatures for race day and what oil to run given the time of year. She knows how the car will perform and what safety equipment to check before the green flag drops. She also has put together her own marketing campaign to present in person to potential sponsors, with posters, fliers and powerpoint presentations.

“She [Ellie] has to decide if she wants the newest toy or race tires for her car,” said Kadilyn. “She already has a firm grasp on what it takes to make a financial plan and adhere to a budget.”

That type of involvement is what drives the third generation racer and mother of two to keep racing as the family recreational focus, despite the cost involved and the potential risks as well. The racing community is family oriented, willing to help each other and focused on safety and success as a group despite the competitive nature of actual race day events.

“We have tried the ‘day at the lake’ type of weekend activities,” said Kadilyn of their choice in family recreation time. “We are ‘doers’ and have a hard time sitting at rest. We always have something to work on. Mechanical items on the equipment, marketing for the potential sponsors, support for each level of competitive cars in the family – the kids also skate [Ellie] and play hockey [Maverick] in the offseason. Oh yeah, they are still students as well.”

Five year old Maverick might be just starting with kindergarten soon, but he is an old hand at taking apart and cleaning a carburetor already. As the crew chief for his sister, Ellie, he is prepping for his own car by understanding what goes into the care and repair of the four wheeled fun mobiles.

“We actually talked about doing things versus being on the cell phones just this weekend,” said Kadilyn. “We make it a point as a family to spend more time actively doing things than we do with technology.”

The tight knit family environment is what each generation of this racing clan wants to continue. Unlike some recreational activities, there are no gender or age inhibitors to racing. Regardless of age, sex or background- if you can perform safely, you are welcomed. This makes the family involvement possible as each generation’s representative is actively working shoulder to shoulder with the others.

“It was a little rougher when I started at 16 years old,” said Kadilyn. “There were not many girls and there was not a smaller car category for learning the sport and the vehicles back then. But if you were willing to learn, and able to perform- the racing community was very welcoming, even though you had to earn your stripes.”

The racing bug is one that can be caught at any age, but how does anyone get into the activity without generations to lean on and learn from? The third generation racer says it is easier than you would think.

“You could put everyone’s names into a hat,” said Kadilyn of the racing community at large. “Any name you pulled would be willing to help with teaching, advice and mentoring if you are willing to learn and participate. Despite the competitive nature of the actual race, the community that surrounds this life all want to help newcomers feel welcome and have fun in a safe manner.”

Does the third generation racer see the bloodline continuing into a fifth generation?

“You can never say for certain,” said Kadilyn. “Especially as young as the kids are, but I would not be surprised if the family continued in this path based on the way the kids are involved and how much they enjoy all aspects of the sport.”